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San Diego Summer Family TRAVEL GUIDE

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Thinking about a trip for the family to San Diego this summer? There are four places you don’t want to miss.

1. LEGOLAND California, LEGOLAND Waterpark and SEA LIFE Aquarium in Carlsbad, CA

With close access to the beaches, shopping and warm weather, visiting LEGOLAND is a no-brainer! There are fun activities, LEGO building stations, rides, shows and much more for every age. You’ll probably get your moneys worth if you have a LEGO enthusiast but, then again, I don’t know a single kid that doesn’t enjoy LEGO blocks or even LEGO Duplo. Some new things to check out- STAR WARS Miniland, the LEGOLAND Waterpark- which is located inside of LEGOLAND and The Octopus Garden which is opening at SEA LIFE Aquarium in a few weeks!

There are a few noteworthy resorts close by and one is The Grand Pacific Palisades. The Grand Pacific Palisades is located in the middle of The Carlsbad Premium Outlets, The Carlsbad Flower Fields, The Museum of Making Music, Karl Strauss Brewery and across the street (literally) from LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE.

The other family friendly resort is La Costa Resort and Spa. The La Costa Resort is the place to be in the summer. The spa is world famous, the golf is amazing, the swimming pool has water slides (and a toddler area), the shopping and dining are 5-star and it’s only a few miles south of LEGOLAND.

2. Sea World San Diego

Sea World is an interactive playground for children of all ages. The newly renovated Sesame Street Bay of Play provides hours (no really, hours!) of fun for kids. Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! is also a fun show for Sesame Street lovers and the Pets Rule! show is very entertaining with constant action featuring your favorite household pets. For the older kids, the Coco Loco Arcade, Journey to Atlantis and Shipwreck Rapids are a hit. And what’s Sea World without the sea life- my kids love the Shark Encounter, Rocky Point Preserve, Penguin Encounter and, of course, Shamu. New this year, the all-new Shamu Show begins in May 2011 and Turtle Reef is opening Summer 2011.

3. San Diego Zoo

Visit the San Diego Zoo this summer but be sure to check out all the special activities and events before planning your trip. The new baby Giraffe was just born a few weeks ago so make sure you head over to see the mommy and baby. Click HERE for more information on Giraffes and HERE for the Special Events coming up.

Another fun place is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park but bring your hat and wear cool clothes- it gets quite warm there in the summer months! The Safari Park is more stroller friendly as it has less hills than the San Diego Zoo but both parks are amazing, interactive and full of adventure.

4. San Diego Beaches

You can’t go wrong with San Diego beaches. From Coronado to Oceanside- you can walk the boardwalk, watch the waves from the pier, play in the waves and even camp steps away from the sand. Coronado, La Jolla and Del mar are family friendly towns that have it all… shopping, entertainment, restaurants, beautiful views, hotels and all within walking distance. La Jolla, Mission Bay, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside all have parks close to or on the beach and Cardiff By The Sea has a campground but book early cause they fill up fast!

OTHER CALIFORNIA TRAVEL GUIDES

Omni Rancho Las Palmas Palm Springs Travel Guide

Venice Beach Travel Guide

Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Palm Springs Travel Guide

Long Beach Travel Guide

Pasadena Travel Guide

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Melissa

Monday 25th of April 2011

Love these tips! The San Diego Wild Animal Park is amazing too!

Angie Mangas

Monday 11th of April 2011

thanks for the fantastic tips!!

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